updated 06:25 pm EST, Fri February 27, 2009

iMac store inventory

A large number of online retailers currently indicate a lack of availability for the high-end iMac, adding to the speculation of an upcoming product refresh, according to AppleInsider. Amazon, MacMall, MacConnection, Best Buy, OnSale and ClubMac were all sold out of the 3.06GHz model as of Friday, while Apple's own storefront doubled the shipping estimate. Although supply interruptions are not uncommon, Amazon appears to have permanently removed the corresponding product page which now leads to a dead end.

Apple's educational salesmen were recently given permission to begin selling the computers at discounted prices, while a recent image leak showed the company's marketing materials which referenced NVIDIA graphics for both the 20- and 24-inch iMacs. The current lineup only includes a NVIDIA option for the 24-inch model.

Shipment reductions began sometime in January as part of the preparations for an update, sources indicated. Apple allegedly acknowledged that most of the line would see "limited availability" over the following weeks and that the 3.06GHz model would become entirely unavailable.

Detailed specs and an official timeframe of a product refresh remain unknown.

I'm not the mysterious guest poster, but I've been waiting for a refresh before I pick up a mini. I have all of the other pieces I'll need, but hopefully a refresh is in order with more power and lower prices. The refurbs seem to go quickly on Apple's Web site.